Disney urged to oppose 'Don't Say Gay' bill
STORY: Employees at Disney are putting pressure on the company to speak out against Florida’s controversial “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
The company has faced growing internal criticism over its public stance on the bill, which would limit the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in schools.
That’s culminated in a week of protests, dubbed the “Disney Do Better Walkout.”
Its organizers are calling on the company to stop campaign contributions for politicians supporting the bill and to develop a plan protecting employees from the legislation.
They also want Disney to halt construction in Florida, home of their flagship Walt Disney World theme park, until the measure is repealed.
Some 60 employees, like technical director Taylor White, gathered at a park outside Los Angeles on Tuesday to make those demands clear.
“People like working for Disney. They grew up watching it. They grew up listening to it. It's something that they're proud of and they want to be proud of Disney again to feel comfortable working there."
Disney attempted to address employee concerns at a virtual town hall on Monday.
CEO Bob Chapek pledged to use the moment as a catalyst for change – and said the company had made a mistake in remaining publicly silent on the issue.
Ahead of Tuesday's demonstrations, Disney’s streaming unit Disney+ offered public support for its LGBTQIA+ colleagues on Twitter, pledging to be a source for quote “inclusive, empowering and authentic stories that unite us in our shared humanity.”
